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Value of Vintage Figurines

Value of Vintage Figurines - ceramic elephant figurine
Collectible figures may or may not have value. To determine the value of individual figurines you will need to determine the artist, manufacturer, date of production, number made, etc. This page contains some additional considerations to take into account when searching for the value of your figurines.
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18 Questions

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November 25, 2020

Hello fellow users! I buy and sell home goods I purchase from Goodwill or Estate Sales. I recently purchased this brass (?) cat figurine from a Houston Goodwill, but have been unsuccessful in identifying its maker or anything about it to say the least.

This figurine is roughly 5+ lbs, 3x4 inches. I do not see any etchings or engravings that would give me an idea of who/where it's from. Any information or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

A small brass figurine of a cat.
 
A small brass figurine of a cat.
 
The bottom of a brass figurine.
 

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
November 25, 20200 found this helpful
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At 5 pounds, that is hefty. The hole in the bottom is puzzling. It may have been affixed to a base. The chips on the bottom are also puzzling as brass doesn't chip. The subject matter is still highly sought after. Mid century modern Siamese cats can sell well and I have seen unusual ones sell upwards of $100.

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If it was mine, I would take 12 amazing photos, and list it as a 7 day Sunday to Sunday auction. Start it at the least you would want to get and let the market dictate the final value. Be sure to fully disclose the flaws. Post back with an update! Thanks for sharing!

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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts
November 26, 20200 found this helpful
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Normally brass is solid and there are no holes at all in brass. Furthermore brass doesn't chip like this one is chipping now. There is a brass color low fire glaze that a lot of people used to paint their projects with. I am thinking this isn't brass at all but a solid poured statue that has been painted with low fire glaze. If it was real brass you can tell the difference because brass is solid and it doesn't chip.

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
November 26, 20200 found this helpful
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Such a 'demure' look but it appears the nose/nostrils' are not set correctly which kinda speaks made in India to me.
Not sure why the hole is in the bottom as that many times means the piece is hollow but if you are correct about over 5 pounds (?) it cannot be hollow.

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The machine marks on the bottom also makes me think it was made on a machine as those are the marks a machine makes when metal is shaped and 'cut'.
It also appears there may have been a felt cover on the bottom that has been removed?

I believe you could just call her a Siamese cat and not Egyptian as most Egyptian cat statues have much taller very pointed ears.
I only found one cat that came close to this one and it also has the same type of hole in the bottom (2 cats but only one similar to yours). I feel sure these do not weigh 5 pounds although a little larger. It is unusual for the seller to post pictures of the bottom of their items.
www.ebay.ca/.../153441435546?hash=item23b9d27f9a...

You may be able to post your pictures on some of the collectible forum sites and obtain more information. Also, Reddit is an excellent site to post for information.

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www.treasurenet.com/.../463808-i-collect-vintage-cat-figurines...
www.antiquers.com/.../

www.reddit.com/.../

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April 11, 2021

I just dug this up from my yard. There is no makers mark that I can tell, but I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about it ? Maybe it's worth something?

A figurine of two pigs cuddling.
 

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
April 11, 20210 found this helpful
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It looks like it may have been a class pottery or painting project, but it is hard to tell. The photo is a little dark.

What I can tell you as a long time reseller is there is a market for everything "cheeky" especially if it is pig themed. Call it "making bacon" pig figurine and list it on eBay as a 7 day Sunday to Sunday auction and let the market dictate the value. Start it at 9.99 and let it ride!

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There is a market for cheeky figurines!

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September 4, 2020

I do not know anything about this. Do they have any value?

A small figurine featuring animals.
 
The bottom of a ceramic figurine.
 

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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts
September 4, 20200 found this helpful
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This is a ceramic mold that has been poured in a ceramic shop. The mold has two sides and slip clay is poured int the mold and then held together with rubber bands or clamps until the mold drys. A person then cleans the lines and uses low fire glaze to add the finish to the piece. The reason I am saying this is because of the large letter E on the bottom of the piece and where the hole is located.

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I did a lot of mold pouring and I helped my grandmother pour a lot of her molds when she was dong ceramics. This looks like some of the choices they had at the studio she use to go to.

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
September 5, 20200 found this helpful
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This looks like a mold for making ceramic figurines.
Molds and making pieces by hand are not so common anymore but there are thousands of handmade pieces similar to this floating around somewhere as this was a well liked 'hobby' several years ago.

Most of the items were simple so that inexperienced people could make them and also learn how to paint them before they were placed in the kiln to be fired.
Whoever made the piece placed the E on the bottom to identify who it belonged to as they may have fired 30-40 pieces at one time. Some people put their name or mark on the figurine itself but most just added an initial.

I do not believe it could be 'valuable' except maybe to the family of the person who made it.

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May 18, 2022

I found these four figurines and have no knowledge of whether they are old, or have any value. They have no markings, and they stand on wooden bases

A set of four Asian figurines.
 

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Silver Answer Medal for All Time! 320 Answers
May 18, 20220 found this helpful
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These could be Chinese "wise men" or "immortals". The image is too small to confirm, but customarily each depiction would be carrying something (an infant, a piece of fruit, etc.) to symbolize happiness, fortune, etc. Such figurines were popular in the West during the 1960s. These are a nice size, and while the value is dependent on mark, material, and completeness of individual accessories / whole pieces to the set, I'd assume these are not particularly valuable as antiques but rather as casual period decor.

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January 23, 2020

Does anybody know anything about this sculpture? There is a name on it (Michele or Michelo or??) and a capital N sign. Any info would be welcome.

Identifying a Figurine - white figurine of a young woman holding a pitcher
 
Identifying a Figurine
 

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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts
January 28, 20200 found this helpful
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I've been trying to look for this with no luck at all. There is not a lot to go on. I know a site that might be able to help out a lot more on this one. They identify figurines that are hard to find or do not have a lot of information on them. You might want to check this site and see if they can find more information about your item than I can. www.collectorsweekly.com/.../overview

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January 14, 2020

Would anybody happen to know any details about this Italian made figurine of a male & female on a swing and how much it is worth in $AUD? It weighs 3.475kgs. The base dimensions are 15x23cm and the height is 35cm. Many thanks :)

Value of an Italian Made Figurine
 
Value of an Italian Made Figurine
 
Value of an Italian Made Figurine
 
Value of an Italian Made Figurine
 

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
January 15, 20200 found this helpful
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I see this (unless you can see where the plate has come off--there would be glue stains or tiny nail holes) as an homage to an Armani Capodimonte Figurine Couple In Swing figurine. This theme of figurine was quite popular in the 1980s and was a frequent wedding/engagement gift.

The color and quality of paint on your piece does not look like a true Armani Capodimonte.

Sadly, both the real thing and the homage pieces don't have value in the market like they did pre-2008 when the market tanked.

There was an Armani piece that (shockingly to me) sold recently for 99.00 + shipping. Why I say shockingly is they seemed to charge a very high shipping fee. When I see this in solds I think it is a money laundering/shill bid/or some other scam bid.

I could be wrong. The seller doesn't have many feedbacks and none that I can see for similar pieces, which to me is suspicious.

I have seen them sell in the $40-70 range.

The homage pieces in the $10-40 range.

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June 11, 2019

I would like to identify the artist on this figurine. It is signed, but is mounted on a wooden pedestal so I can't see the maker's mark.

Also, I'm not sure of the signature spelling.

Identifying a Figurine and Its Artist - man and a woman appearing to hold a baby
 
Identifying a Figurine and Its Artist
 

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
June 11, 20190 found this helpful

I cannot make out the signature either. It is a Hummel-type of figurine. It is worth it to take it to a dealer.

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May 28, 2021

Can someone help me to figure out what this figurine is called and who produced it. There are no maker's marks or stickers and I've tried looking all over the internet with no luck at all

Can Someone Identify This Figure?
 

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December 4, 2019

What do these mean and how do I know if they are worth anything?

Value of a Chinese Vase and Figurines - small Asian figurines
 
Value of a Chinese Vase and Figurines
 
Value of a Chinese Vase and Figurines
 
Value of a Chinese Vase and Figurines
 
Value of a Chinese Vase and Figurines
 
Value of a Chinese Vase and Figurines
 
Value of a Chinese Vase and Figurines
 

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January 17, 2019

These belonged to my grandparents. What would they be valued at?

Value of Vintage Figurines - ceramic elephant figurine
 
Value of Vintage Figurines
 
Value of Vintage Figurines
 

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
January 17, 20190 found this helpful

Can you please post if they have markings? Approximate age (or age of your grandparents)?

What are they made of? It looks like the elephant is glass...but is it bisque or ceramic (bisque feels rough, ceramic smooth).

Is the hula dancer plastic or wood or resin?

What is the one in the middle--a slipper? Is it musical.

The challenge with IDing just from these front shots is there have been many similar items made over the years. With more info, I hope I can get you a better idea of values.

Thanks!! These are neat, but the way. I look forward to hearing what the middle one is!! It is interesting looking!

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